Valeria Monreal: BVM Scholarship Recipient
In May 2023, Valeria Monreal will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the School of Arts and Sciences from Loyola University Chicago (LUC). Valeria will be the first in her family to graduate from college.
Valeria is a bright, industrious, resilient young woman, who is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, one of our “Dreamers,” seeking to become a U.S. citizen. At age three, she traveled with her mother on foot from Mexico to the United States, where they were reunited with her father, who was living in Chicago.
Today, Valeria has four younger siblings who were born in the United States and resides with her family on the far Southeast side of Chicago.
Valeria is a 2019 honor graduate of Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory High School. The diverse student body and a Gannon Scholar invitation drew her to LUC. Gannon’s four-year program focuses on developing leadership, service, and academic research. Valeria says, “Through the Gannon Scholars Leadership Program, I had the privilege of conducting a multi-year research project exploring the effectiveness of diabetes management in low-income clinics in Chicago that went beyond providing acute care but also management care for racial and ethnic minorities.”
In March 2020, LUC closed residence halls through the summer of 2021, due to COVID-19. Valeria’s family made the best of a demanding situation. Her dad remodeled a space in the attic where she could study. Adapting to online classes and science labs, she made the Dean’s List with straight A’s both semesters of her sophomore year . . . an extraordinary accomplishment in a surreal time! Congratulations, Valeria!
In the summer of 2020, she was a student aide in a STEM-advocate (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program for Upward Bound math and science middle school students and led students in projects at Northeastern Illinois University.
In June 2021 Valeria enrolled in a Certificate for Nursing Assistants (CNA) course, passed it at the head of the class, and secured her CNA license. Working in this field is a pre-requisite for admission to a Physician Associate program.
Valeria also worked as an anthropology research assistant, creating an asset map identifying resources for migrants, mixed-status family members, and deportees across the United States and Mexico.
Through the Undocumented Student Program (USP), Valeria supported other undocumented students and created programs that educated the LUC community on the undocumented experience. “This role motivated me to create the first undocumented student-run organization on campus, the Loyola Undocumented Student Alliance (LUSA).”
Embodying BVM Core Values
From the time of our first introduction in 2019, I felt that Valeria identifies with BVM core values of education and justice. Therefore, I have recommended her for BVM scholarships.
Valeria works tirelessly for justice issues surrounding immigration, separation of families, gender equity in STEM, and the environment. She knows an education will free her to live a full life and strives for academic excellence. She urges her siblings to do their best, reminding them of the sacrifices their parents make for them to receive a good education.
The Monreal family is grateful for the Mary Frances Clarke Scholarships the past four years. Valeria’s funding from LUC covers tuition; the BVM awards help with incidentals such as books, fees, living expenses, etc.
In the spring of 2022, Valeria was inducted into the Loyola University Maroon and Gold Society for her commitment to leadership, academic excellence, and service. Only 25 members of the Class of 2023 were selected from hundreds of peer nominations.
“After graduation, I want to continue my education to become a Physician Associate to meet the needs of patients like my parents. As a Mexican immigrant, I understand the overwhelming relief when a healthcare provider speaks your native language. I will provide culturally competent health care to marginalized communities.
I am excited about my future and will pursue this career with great passion as a mentor and health care provider.” Valeria, we are also excited about the next chapter of your life!
This story was featured in:
WINTER 2023: Many Faces, One HEART
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